Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 21 clash between the Eels and Storm.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Parramatta Eels Vs Melbourne Storm
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Date: Friday 26th July, 8:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Jake Tago, 3. Blaize Talagi, 4. Viliami Penisini, 5. Sean Russell, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Daejarn Asi, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Brendan Hands, 10. Wiremu Greig, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Bryce Cartwright, 13. Ryan Matterson, 14. Joey Lussick, 15. Joe Ofahengaue, 16. Luca Moretti, 17. Makahesi Makatoa, 18. Ethan Sanders, 19. Matthew Arthur, 20. Matt Doorey, 21. Morgan Harper, 22. Dan Keir
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. William Warbrick, 3. Jack Howarth, 4. Nick Meaney, 5. Grant Anderson, 6. Tyran Wishart, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Tui Kamikamica, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Josh King, 11. Shawn Blore, 12. Eliesa Katoa, 13. Trent Loiero, 14. Sualauvi Faalogo, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 17. Lazarus Vaalepu, 18. Dean Ieremia, 19. Tepai Moeroa, 20. Cameron Munster, 21. Chris Lewis, 22. Reimis Smith
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The seemingly destined-to-be Minor Premiers, the Storm, take on the languishing Eels in Parramatta this Friday night. For the Storm, it’s an opportunity to further the gap between themselves and the rest, while the Eels will be hoping to continue to build for next year, while also giving their fans something to cheer.
The Eels are coming off of a bye. Previous to that, they lost in a match that was arguably closer than it had any right to be. It’s evident through team selections that the Eels have decided to blood players and give them NRL experience, with the year all but a write-off. As such, the opposition has been able to at times pick apart that inexperience for points.
Alas, the Eels paid the ultimate price for Moses’ superb State of Origin series, with their star halfback suffering a season-ending bicep injury in the decider. As such, Daejarn Asi will fill in for him. Furthermore, Bryce Cartwright and Shaun Lane have been named to start, Sean Russell returns to the wing and both Joey Lussick and Makahesi Makatoa to the bench.
Meanwhile, the Storm have been as consistent as ever in their commitment to excellence. Try to remember a time when they weren’t on top, or near top, of the table. It’s a difficult thing to do. Last week, they did it fairly comfortably against a fellow top-four team in the Roosters at 24-8. Overall, though they haven’t been at their best in many contests throughout the year, winning is in their DNA.
Cameron Munster is listed as a reserve, and may or may not be a late call-up. Additionally, both Christian Welch and Nelson Asofa-Solomona return from injury.
There’s no question that on form, and the strength of both sides presented, the Eels will be hard-pressed to stick with the Storm. It may well be tight for a period of time, however with fatigue, the likes of Harry Grant and Ryan Papenhuyzen will find points against a struggling Eels team.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Number Crunch Stats.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Storm by 14 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
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